[Amherst, NS]—Science, it appears, is on the side of added protection for lands in and around the Chignecto Game Sanctuary (Nova Scotia) and Harry Thurston couldn't be happier.
A day after the international organization Two Countries, One Forest stated its case in support of added protection of the sanctuary and Crown lands around it, the spokesperson for Cumberland Wilderness said it backs up what it has been saying all along.
"We are very pleased that this group of respected international scientists strongly supports the case we have been making for protection of the sanctuary lands," Thurston said Wednesday (May 19). "People have been asking, where is the science to support the establishment of a wilderness area? This report goes a long way to answering that question. We hope that government is listening and they will act on the recommendations of the Two Countries, One Forest scientists to designate the Chignecto Game Sanctuary and adjacent public lands as a protected wilderness area."
Thurston's comments come as the province is continuing to gather input on the possible designation of part or all of a 35,000-hectare study area. The Environment Department's Protected Areas Branch is expected to identify a candidate area sometime later this year, followed by more consultations.
"It backs up what we've been saying for the last five years, that this is an important area not only for preservation of wildlife in Nova Scotia, but it's important regionally and internationally," Thurston said.
To have scientists support increased protection says a lot, said Thurston because it takes a lot for scientists to commit to a cause.
"This is a top flight panel of scientists who've done credible science in support of what we've been saying," Thurston added.
Thurston remains convinced there is a common ground with the off-highway vehicle stakeholders, adding his organization remains willing to meet with and work with those who remain opposed to added protection for the sanctuary and nearby Crown lands.
Cumberland municipal councillor Ratchford Merriam said those favouring wilderness status face a tough task convincing those who live in his area.
"It's not about what they're giving, it's about what they're taking away from them," said Merriam, adding he doesn't have a lot of faith in Cumberland Wilderness' willingness to compromise. "These are not trails we're talking about. They're professional constructed roads within the sanctuary."
Residents, including those who use the sanctuary recreationally, accepted a proposal put forward a couple of years ago by Natural Resources only to have it replaced by a proposal that includes fewer trails and more protected land both inside and outside the sanctuary.
"Everyone agreed to it. It was compatible to the ATV users and it was compatible to DNR, now they've come in and taken it out of the hands of DNR," he said. "There are so many unknowns."
Merriam said designation has nothing to do with closing the sanctuary to anyone who may abuse it, but it's all about a group of people wanting to get their names on a sheet of paper saying they helped the province reach its goal of having more of its land mass protected.
He also finds it odd that the province just purchased land between Apple River and Sand River for inclusion in a wilderness area but have allowed the company that previously owned it to continue harvesting wood from it.
"It won't be wilderness for 50 or 100 years because they're clear cutting it," Merriam said.
